If you aren’t some type of genius or prodigy, school can be pretty hard; it’s not only in terms of academics, but it’s also when it comes to relationships with other students. There will likely be tough days, sleepless nights, and some level of disappointment.
It comes with the territory of being a student; however, a few encouraging words can make the difference between giving up and staying motivated.
If you’re a teacher, parent, friend, lover, or someone who knows a student, you can try to share encouraging words with that student whenever possible.
Here are 25 of the best encouraging words for students that you can simply copy whenever you need to use them:
Eight encouraging words for students who get low marks
The whole point of school is to learn the concepts being taught and be able to prove that you have learned these concepts by getting good grades.
Getting a low grade can be very disappointing, especially when a lot of time and effort was put into getting a good grade.
Here are eight encouraging words for students that will help them to keep their head up and avoid dwelling on a bad grade:
01“Getting a bad grade isn’t the end of the world; what matters is how you move on from it and learn from your mistakes.”
This is very true, and many students don’t understand this.
What matters is overall performance. If you fail a final exam, you can always do it again to try to get a better grade. It isn’t the end of the world, especially when you are young.
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02“You got a D in English, but you also got an A in chemistry. Something tells me that you’re more of a scientist than a writer!”
A bad grade in one subject can make a student completely forget about how well he/she is doing in another area.
This is a good thing to say because it shifts the focus from the bad grade to the good grade, and it encourages the student to focus on the positives. It also gives more attention to what he/she is actually good at.
03“I know that you’re pretty bummed about your low grade in geography, but if you want, I could show you a few tips and tricks on how to ace your next test.”
Some students don’t want you to pity them or constantly remind them of how bad you feel for them.
The best way to cheer them up is by offering a solution to their problem or by offering to help them get a better grade next time.
04“You got a C? What are you worried about? People who get Cs get degrees!”
Having a great GPA in college is encouraged; however, whether the student has a 4.0 or a 3.0 (or whatever the minimum is), both grades will get the students into the same degree program.
Furthermore, when they are in front of an employer, the degree that they present will not say, “Pam passed with a C.”I In reality, the employer will see the diploma or certificate, and the specific grades you received won’t matter.
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05“I know that you didn’t get the grade you wanted, but I’m glad that you gave it your best shot. Now, you can learn from this and move on to do even better for the next time!”
This is a good thing to say because of the optimistic attitude that it presents to the student.
Every obstacle or failure holds a lesson within it, and it is your responsibility as a teacher, friend, or family member to help him/her realize that there’s a lesson to be learned.
You’re there to help when he/she is unable to see things clearly.
06“Get it together man! You only missed the mark by five points. Next time, you won’t make that mistake again!”
When students fail, the only thing that is visible to them is the failure, and they don’t see the potential for afterwards.
There’s potential in all of us, and a part of realizing that potential is putting things into perspective.
If the passing grade is 80%, and he/she got a 75%, then he/she isn’t so far from the mark. Your optimistic attitude is key to highlighting that for the student.
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07“I’m not disappointed in you, son/daughter. I am proud that you gave it your all. That’s all I’ve ever asked of you.”
Often times, students perform based on the desire to impress or make their parents proud. When they get a bad grade, they will instantly start feeling like they let their parents down.
As a parent, it is your responsibility to dispel those thoughts from their mind by sharing encouraging words with them. This will surely put any troubled mind at ease.
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08“Heck, that’s better than I did in high school. Good for you man!”
If you’re the “cool” parent, a comment like this can make your kid feel much better about his/her performance in school.
Now, you should bear in mind that you aren’t encouraging average or below-average grades, but you are relating his/her experience to your own.
If you are successful with your words, your child will realize that a bad grade wasn’t the end of the world for you or for him/her.
You were able to move from it, and you believe the child can continue to lead a prosperous life.
Eight encouraging words for students who have learning difficulties
Some students are all-round good students, and that’s good for them. However, the majority of students will not excel in every subject.
For example, you may be great at math, but you may have poor Spanish skills. Maybe, you do pretty well in music, but you can’t seem to grasp all of the Physics’ concepts.
This can be very discouraging, so here are some encouraging words for students who experience learning difficulties or challenges at school:
09“Whenever I have a bad day, I try to focus on all of the positives. Maybe, you should try it too. You got a C minus in French, but an A in calculus and physics, respectively. Let’s focus on that!”
This is a good thing to say when a student is being negative about his/her performance, and he/she is not allowing him/herself to celebrate the successes.
By saying this, you are giving him/her an important reminder.
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10“So, you got a bad grade, and now you feel bad. Boohoo! How do you plan to make it better?”
Sometimes, tough love can be more effective than constant coddling. Instead of helping him/her mope around, you can push him/her to move forward by planning together how he/she could improve his/her performance.
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11“How would you feel about tutoring? I know a senior who can help you, and by the end of the school year, I’m sure your GPA will be back to normal!”
Complaining about something without finding a solution doesn’t help anyone.
This is a good thing to say because it gives him/her hope about his/her academic standing, and you are helping him/her find a clear way to improve his/her performance.
12“Keep giving it your all! True failure can be defined as quitting.”
This is good to say when a student plans to drop a class because he/she isn’t doing well.
Perseverance often goes hand-in-hand with improvement and success, and this is the message that you are sending to the student by saying this statement.
13“You know that you don’t need [insert name of subject] to become a [insert profession], right? Stop allowing yourself to be stressed by this. “
This is a special case in which the failing class will not affect the student’s ability to achieve his/her dream career. It is a good thing to say to boost the student’s mood.
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14“No boss would want an employee who doesn’t finish his/her work. Keep pushing!”
This is good to say when he/she wants to give up or throw in the towel. It instills the never-give-up attitude in the student.
15“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”
This is a pretty common quote with a fairly simple meaning.
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16“It means that you should not dwell on the low grades that you received so much so that it causes you to be distracted or fail in areas that you command well. Your aim should be progress, not perfection.”
Getting As isn’t what school is all about; it is about self-development and improving yourself as a student and as an individual.
Making mistakes is the only way to improve and get better. By saying this, you will help make him/her feel better about the situation.
What to say to students who have very low self-esteem
Having low self-esteem can affect a student’s performance in school, and it can also affect his/her mental health.
School is where you meet most of the friends who you will try to keep for a long time, and they are there to help you with any situation that may arise.
Everybody needs somebody. To improve academically and as an individual, a student will likely need to rely on his/her friends. Here are some encouraging words for students who need a boost to their self-esteem:
17“You know friendship is a two-way street, right? Once you show them how great you are, I’m sure they’ll love you!”
Often, it’s not a case in which other students hate one particular student; sometimes, it is just that the student is shy and isolates him/herself.
Saying this can give the student the confidence and courage that he/she needs to be more open to others so that friends can be made.
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18“What do you mean when you say that you have no friends? Then, what am I to you?”
One friend is better than no friends. Often times, people may mix friendlessness with popularity, which is a poor connection to be made.
One good friend is better than ten fake friends. Saying this will remind the student that his/her goal is to make at least one good friend.
19“High school isn’t the peak of your life, my dear. Once you get to college, you’ll meet many others who will have the same interests as you, and you’ll forget all about your high school years. “
This is good to say because it is the truth. Friendships in high school may seem like the most important relationships in the world to a teenager, but the truth is that he/she will probably never see some of these people again after graduating from high school.
Lasting friendships are usually made in college when people have spent more time on introspection and learning about themselves. They try to find more like-minded individuals to be their friends.
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20“They say that good friends are like pocket money, but bad ones are like an infestation. Perhaps, you are saving yourself some of the trouble!”
This is good to say when the student is feeling down about not having many or any friends. This reminds him/her that it is probably in his/her best interest to select friends carefully.
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21“Yes, but you have tons of friends outside of school! You only have to be there for a few hours each day.”
Friends don’t only exist at school. A student can find friends at their part-time job, at church, at the park, or in the neighborhood.
Saying this can tell the student that it doesn’t matter if he/she has friends at school because he/she still has friends outside of school.
22“Just keep being yourself! If they come around, then it was meant to be. If they don’t, then they aren’t likely going to be good friends to you anyway.”
This is another way to say, “what is meant to be will be.”
It is applicable in this situation because some people are alike or share the same values, and they tend to gravitate towards each other.
This is just another way to say that the universe is doing him/her a favor, and he/she shouldn’t change or lose who he/she is for the sake of others.
23“Perhaps, you can join a club to meet other people who share your interests. If you want to make friends, you’ll have to put in some effort.”
This is one example of encouraging words for students that he/she can act on. This is good to say because you are showing him/her that there’s a way to change his/her friendless state.
24“Who needs friends when you have a dog? They aren’t called “man’s best friend” for no reason.”
This is good to say in a joking manner if you want to lighten the mood so that the student does not dwell on the fact that he/she has no friends.
Afterward, you can engage him/her in a more serious conversation.
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25“Love yourself first. Afterwards, you can worry about what others think of you.”
The root of all self-esteem issues is a lack of self-love. If a student cannot love him/herself, how can he/she reasonably expect others to love him/her?
This is a good thing to say when you realize that this is the issue, and you feel obligated to help him/her come to that place in his/her life.
Lastly
You can send these encouraging words for students in a text or email. You can also write a little note and slip it in the student’s locker or book bag.
You may also say it to him/her in person so that you can watch his/her facial expression change from a frown into a huge smile.
